Kerber, Zverev to star for Germany at Paris 2024

Rio 2016 silver-medallist Angelique Kerber and Tokyo 2020 champion Alexander Zverev will headline Germany’s nine-strong player field for the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event, the German Tennis Federation (DTB) announced on Wednesday.

As well as Kerber and Zverev, the German Olympic tennis team includes four other men – world No. 35 Jan-Lennard Struff, No. 65 Dominik Koepfer and doubles duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz – and three other women in world No. 56 Tatjana Maria, No. 74 Tamara Korpatsch and No. 75 Laura Siegemund.

The Germans, whose men’s and women’s teams will be captained by Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann and Billie Jean King Cup captain Rainer Schuettler, respectively, are set to announce the composition of its doubles teams at a later date.

Kerber, who enters the Games by virtue of a WTA special ranking (of 31) as she continues her comeback following the birth of her daughter, Liana, in February 2023, is set to take part in her third Olympic Games.

She narrowly missed out on the chance to fight for a medal at London 2012 after falling to Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals, and reached the gold medal match without dropping a set at Rio 2016 before running into an inspired Monica Puig in the final.

“My anticipation for my third Olympic Games is great,” said Kerber. “I have special memories of the Olympics, especially the Games in Rio, where I won the silver medal in 2016. To be able to feel the Olympic spirit once again on site, to get the best out of myself for Germany, is a great challenge and motivation for me at the same time.”

Zverev, meanwhile, has reason to be equally buoyant – with the opportunity to become only the second tennis player to defend an Olympic gold medal (after Andy Murray) awaiting him at a venue that usually brings out his best form.

“Returning to Paris this year as the defending champion at the Olympic Games is a very special and proud feeling for me,” said the world No. 4. “I can’t wait to represent the German colours at Roland Garros, in one of my favourite stadiums.”

The ITF will announce the full entry list for the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event on 4 July